January 30, 2007 Elk Grove Action Group General Meeting Minutes

Location: Jack & Lisa Williams’ residence at 9055 Richborough Way, Elk Grove, CA
Attendees: Christine Codina, John and Nancy Carrier, Bill & Marilyn Meeker, Elizabeth Atkins, Bob & Grace, Randy Bacchus, Bertha & Bill Scherrer, Dan Redfearn, Jack and Lisa Williams

1. Jack welcomes everyone.
2. Two banks were funded since our last meeting on October 10. One bank was organized by OEF in El Salvador, the Las Caditas Bank, and the other (Bank 1) by ACIDICO in Guatemala. We also received a $2500 donation from Bank of the West for a third bank.
3. Jack has been asked to go to Zambia at the request of Cathy Headly, the founder of Mothers Without Borders. This group focuses on mothers with AIDS and on orphaned children of AIDS victims. Cathy wants to help the mothers secure loans to help them provide for their families. Jack will leave on February 25th. One component of the AIDS problem is single mothers resort to prostitution to provide for their children. Microcredit loans will provide them with a healthier alternative, to build a business.
4. While in Zambia, Jack will connect with various NGOs (non-government organizations) to select a partner to organize and manage the banks. When speaking with organizations, Cathy Headly suggested we not talk money. Instead, focus on what they have to offer and as well as their weaknesses. HELP, International has offered to follow up with two senior staff members who will help oversee the banks in Zambia.
5. Dan Redfearn suggested we be more assertive in seeking new members to the group. He suggested emailing the link to our website (www.elkgroveactiongroup.org) to friends and associates. Another suggestion was to share the DVD “Small Fortunes.”
6. Reports on the newest banks in El Salvador and Guatemala were passed out. Also included was a financial report on all our banks in El Salvador. This is the first time we’ve worked with Acidico in Guatemala and we were very pleased with the feedback. We have requested a report on the 15th after the end of each quarter.
7. We have not received a report on the four El Salvadoran students receiving college scholarships. Jack will ask Jen Boehme, HELP director, to follow up on them.
8. HELP, International is losing their Spanish translator so we may do our own translating for the next report. John Carrier volunteered his daughter, who teaches Spanish at local colleges. Any reports from Zambia would be in English.
9. Donations were collected from anyone desiring to do so at this time. The common consensus was to donate to Acidico since our first bank in Guatemala went so well.